Loading...
The Citizen, 2015-05-07, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015. MARIE ANITA TOLL Marie Anita (MacCrostie) Toll formerly of RR 3, Blyth and Braemar Nursing Home, Wingham, passed away with family by her side, on Wednesday, April 29 at Wingham Hospital. She was in her 95th year. Marie was born on Oct. 13, 1920 at the MacCrostie homestead in West Wawanosh Township. She graduated from public school at Belfast and Lucknow Continuation School. After working as a sales clerk in Toronto for a year, she received her teacher’s training at Stratford Normal School in 1941/42. Her independent nature was revealed when, without a car or money, she hitch-hiked to and from Toronto and Stratford to her family home near Belfast. In fulfilling her love of children and learning, Marie enjoyed a successful career as an educator. She taught in one-room, rural schools in Amberley and Whitechurch from September, 1942 until December, 1944 when she married Aubrey Toll and accepted a teaching position at SS # 16, East Wawanosh, remaining there until 1948. After her children were born, she returned to teaching, first at USS #3, Morris-East Wawanosh and then at SS # 10, East Wawanosh, known locally as the McGowan School, where all of her children were also her students. From 1962-1981, she taught at the newly-built Walton Public School, where for the final 14 years of her career, she was the principal. During her long career she witnessed huge changes in technology and educational methods: from travelling to her schools on foot or in a horse and buggy or cutter to driving a car with the luxury of windshield wipers and a heater and from teaching by coal oil lanterns to using a television in the classroom to support the newest curriculum. Marie was very creative: an artist, a seamstress, a quilter, a writer, a superb cook and pie-maker. She was an active participant in the mixed farming operation she and her husband, Aubrey managed. She was also very involved in the preparation of their registered Clydesdales for the show ring, accompanying Aubrey with their family of four on the 5-City, Western Fair Circuit three times during the 1960s. In 1975, Marie and Aubrey purchased the McGowan School property, which was situated a mile to the east of their farm. The school was moved to the southwest corner of the lot and they built a new house on the school site where Marie was once the teacher. After retiring, Marie enjoyed refinishing furniture, gardening, quilting and proof-reading at the The Citizen. She also enjoyed participating in the compilation of Wilderness to Wawanosh, a history of the township published in 1992. Her family was her pride and joy: she offered unconditional love and unwavering support. She was an intuitive and loyal friend. Marie will be fondly remembered by her many pupils for her sense of humour, her appreciation and respect for nature, the use of her opal ring to “encourage” inattentive students, her insightful teaching, her firm but fair discipline and the ominous echo of her clicking heels as she neared a disruptive classroom. Marie was the cherished mother of Cheryl Cronin (Tom), Blyth; Vaughn (Marlene), RR 3, Blyth; Kerry Toll (Greer Black), Calgary, Alberta and Avon Corneil of Bluevale. She also leaves to mourn 10 adored grandchildren: Michelle McNichol (Ron), Scott Cronin (Kim), Greg Toll, Bryce Toll (Tanya), Andrew Toll (Mia), Kaitlyn Armstrong (Scott), Devon Black, Tallan Black, Drew Corneil (Jenny) and Dane Corneil; nine beloved great- grandchildren; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Stewart Toll and Leba Silvert, London as well as several nieces and nephews. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Aubrey Toll (2005), her parents, William and Myrtle (Webster) MacCrostie; her siblings, Hugh, Ronald and Carol MacCrostie; sisters-in-law, Marjorie McDougall and Amy MacCrostie and brother-in-law, Ken McDougall. In keeping with Marie’s wishes, cremation has taken place and in lieu of a visitation and funeral, a private family celebration of Marie’s life will occur at a later date. Memorial donations to the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation, Wingham and District Heath Centre Foundation or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated by the family as expressions of sympathy. Arrangements are entrusted to Falconer Funeral Homes, Clinton. SARAH STEPHENSON Sarah (Cruickshank) Stephenson of Brussels, passed away at Huronlea Home for the Aged on Tuesday, April 28, 2015. Born in Wingham on Jan. 4, 1923, Sarah was in her 93rd year. Sarah was the beloved wife of the late Frederick Mac “Dick” Stephenson and will be sadly missed by her daughter-in-law Sharon Stephenson of Brussels, her granddaughters Corrinna Strong and her husband Peter, Mississauga and Chantelle den Dekker and her husband Arnold, Brussels and her great-grandchildren Connor, Megan, Kennedy, MacKenzie, Ryan, Jessica and Laura. Sarah was also loved by her sisters-in-law Nora Stephenson, Liz and Ken Sholdice and Shirley Wilken. She was predeceased by her son Frederick, her granddaughters Rhonda and Charlene, her parents George and Linda (Hill) Cruickshank, her brothers Jim, Tom and Calvin and sisters Elizabeth, Ivey and Margaret. Friends were received by the family at Brussels United Church on Wednesday, May 6 until the time of the funeral service. Rev. Gary Clark officiated. Burial took place in Brussels Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Brussels United Church would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be left at www.schimanskifamilyfuneral home.com STANLEY JOHN TRAPP Mr. Steve Trapp of Wingham, passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Saturday, May 2, 2015. He was 90. Steve was the beloved husband of Elva (Watke) Trapp, Wingham and the cherished father of Charles and Tara Trapp and Yvonne and Dan St. Jean. He was the loving grandfather of Kayla, Rebecca, Joshua, Taylor, Alannah, Jeffery, Ashley and Brooke. He is also survived by his nieces Margaret, Mary and Jean Anne and great-nieces and nephews John, Faith, Andrew, Nick, Richard, Emma and Anne, all in England. He was predeceased by his sister Jean. Visitation was held at McBurney Funeral Home Ltd., Wingham on Tuesday. A Royal Canadian Legion Service was held in the funeral home on Tuesday evening followed by a Wingham Lodge #286 A.F. and A.M. service. The funeral service was held at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday. Rev. Richard D. Hall officiated. Final resting place is Walkerton Cemetery, Walkerton. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, to Bluewater Shrine Club would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com Looking for local heroes There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community. Now you have a chance to say thanks. Nominate that special person for the 30th Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards. Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win, please feel free to try again. I nominate as Citizen of the year for I feel she/he deserves this award because Nomination Deadline May 31, 2015. Name and phone number of nominator ❑Blyth & area ❑Brussels & area Deadline extended until May 31 Obituaries Got Married... Call for pricing & details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Share your news by placing your announcement in The Citizen